97 Million Files Discovered in SAS War Crimes Inquiry

• •97 million documents related to SAS war crimes inquiry were discovered late.
• •The inquiry has cost £58 million and has yet to produce findings after over three years.
• •The MoD admitted to communication failures regarding document disclosure.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has acknowledged a significant oversight in the ongoing inquiry into alleged war crimes by British Special Forces in Afghanistan, revealing 97 million previously undisclosed documents. This inquiry, established in 2022, aims to investigate claims of unlawful killings by the Special Air Service (SAS) during operations from 2010 to 2013. The inquiry has now lasted over three years without any findings published, with the MoD attributing the delay to communication failures and the complexity of managing multiple IT systems. The inquiry's chair, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, expressed concern over the late disclosure of these documents, which include thousands of potentially relevant files. Bereaved families have reacted with shock at the late discovery, emphasizing the impact on their pursuit of justice. The inquiry has already cost taxpayers £58 million, with ongoing efforts to sift through the newly found materials. Forensic experts are currently examining the images found among the documents to verify the SAS's accounts of their operations.